Kuwait’s customs authorities have announced foiling an attempt to smuggle nearly 1.8 million Captagon pills hidden inside a furniture shipment.

The haul was seized at the Shuwaikh Port, with Kuwait Customs describing the thwarting of the attempt as a ‘new blow’ to peddlers of narcotics and illicit substances.

In a statement, the agency said that during the inspection of a furniture container, customs officials became suspicious of a set of sofas and coffee tables.

Yellow pills, suspected to be Captagon, were found inside the furniture and referred to the competent authorities for further investigation.

In recent months, Kuwait has intensified its efforts to combat drug smuggling and trafficking.

Last month, Kuwaiti authorities announced the seizure of a drug shipment with an estimated market value of KD1 million ($3.2 million).

The Interior Ministry stated that anti-drug police had confiscated 85 kilograms of an illicit substance locally known as Shabu. The contraband was linked to an Asian man allegedly working for an international drug ring and receiving instructions from abroad to distribute the drugs in Kuwait.

In August, the ministry reported thwarting another drug smuggling attempt, also valued at KD1 million. The General Department for Combating Narcotics arrested two Asian expatriates involved in the operation. Both suspects admitted ownership of the seized drugs and revealed they had been instructed by a major overseas drug dealer to distribute them locally.

In July, the ministry announced the interception of an attempt to smuggle nearly 160 kilograms of hashish into the country. Four individuals were arrested in connection with the operation.

According to a report from Kuwait’s anti-drug prosecution, the country seized narcotics with a total market value of KD74 million last year.

Source Gulf News